LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas School of Business has received a $10 million gift commitment from an anonymous donor, ensuring the construction of a new entrepreneurship hub designed to benefit the entire KU community by fostering innovative problem-solving skills among students.

This dynamic, purpose-built facility will promote entrepreneurship and innovation across disciplines, welcoming students from all academic fields. The new building will be located at 1420 Crescent Road, the former site of McLain’s Bakery and previously the Jayhawk Bookstore.

The $10 million commitment supplements a lead gift of $50 million the donor made in 2023, bringing their total contribution to $60 million. This represents the largest gift in the history of the KU School of Business and will support a variety of initiatives focused on enhancing undergraduate student success. Beyond entrepreneurship, funds will bolster career-focused programs, such as the Business Professional Development Program, study abroad opportunities, and academic enrichment initiatives.

The donor, who has been a longtime supporter of KU, emphasized the transformative power of entrepreneurship. “The University of Kansas is in the midst of a transformational era, marked by significant advancements across campus — including a stronger, more innovative business school and a new entrepreneur center. We are proud to play a part in the overall progress of the university,” the donor said.

This gift aims to inspire further philanthropic support, targeting specific goals:

• Equip students with skills to rejuvenate Kansas towns.
• Foster entrepreneurial ventures addressing key state challenges like health care delivery, energy sustainability, and education.
• Prepare graduates to apply entrepreneurial competencies in any professional path.

Currently, 70% of students involved in entrepreneurship programs are outside the School of Business. The new hub will provide a centralized space to collaborate, innovate, and deepen entrepreneurial skills.

“One of the ways KU drives economic growth in Kansas is by ensuring our graduates have the skills and the entrepreneurial ability to succeed in their fields,” said Chancellor Douglas A. Girod. “This gift creates a greater KU for all students, with the hub expanding entrepreneurship’s reach and impact.”

The new facility will house KU’s entrepreneurship cocurricular programs, including The Catalyst, Jayhawk Consulting, and RedTire (Redefine Your Retirement). These initiatives give students hands-on opportunities to develop ventures with mentorship, offer strategic advice to regional businesses, or assist retiring owners in business transitions.

“This investment will elevate how the School of Business equips all KU students with the tools and experience to drive innovation,” said Jide Wintoki, incoming dean of the KU School of Business. “Having this dedicated space marks a significant step forward in our commitment to hands-on, interdisciplinary entrepreneurial education at KU.”

Dan Martin, president of KU Endowment, noted the gift’s broad impact: “The future of KU is brighter with the dreams the hub will enable. We are deeply grateful for the donor’s dedication to the students at KU who will build invaluable entrepreneurship skills that they will carry with them for a lifetime.”

KU Endowment, founded in 1891, is the independent nonprofit organization responsible for fundraising and managing private gifts for KU — the first foundation of its kind at a U.S. public university.

• Construction Timeline and Features:
  The entrepreneurship hub is expected to break ground later this year, with completion targeted for 2026. The facility will feature modern collaboration spaces, innovation labs, classrooms, and event areas designed to host workshops, pitch competitions, and networking events.
• Community Engagement:
  KU plans to involve local entrepreneurs and business leaders in programming at the hub, further strengthening connections between the university and Kansas communities, particularly in economic development and revitalization efforts.
• Student Impact:
  The new space will support KU’s growing entrepreneurship ecosystem, which has seen increasing student participation across disciplines such as engineering, health sciences, arts, and social sciences — reflecting the university’s commitment to interdisciplinary education.
• Broader Vision:
  This initiative aligns with KU’s strategic plan to enhance experiential learning and prepare students for leadership roles in a rapidly changing global economy by embedding entrepreneurial thinking into all facets of education.

Originally reported by KU News.